Wednesday, January 19, 2011

If there's a bakery in town, I'll find it. Bakeries - the smell of them, the feel of them...are just some of the coziest places on earth. I especially love the ones that use organic whole grains and other ingredients. But I'll admit, any case full of muffins, breads, cookies and pies melts my heart.

I made these Banana Walnut muffins to quench a bakery craving. It was about midnight and we had just put the babies down to sleep. For some reason, I started to think muffins (then sleep). Two very ripe bananas spurred me on and before you knew it, the house smelled like goodness.

This recipe comes from one of my new favorite baking books, "Gluten-Free Baking Classics" by Annalise Roberts. But this batch came from a gift tin that my friend Karen gave us at Christmas, so all I had to do was add the bananas, milk, eggs and oil.

Made me think I should have these 'just add..' tins on hand at all times.

I too, love REAL bakeries. Just yesterday in a blinding snow storm (ok not blinding but) I saw a bakery that I had not been in and pulled in to find a charming, fragrance filled bakery. Nothing but nothing gets me to pull over like a bakery, well, maybe a junk shop but that's it. I really like your blog and your home is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

I know why you were thinking muffins at midnight if you're nursing! During the time of nursing my third baby, I once got up before dawn to make a giant omelet! And I'd make almost daily batches of oatmeal cranberry cookies. Mmmm. Momma's have to eat to!

Great recipes, thank you. Keep your love of baking, I can tell you how much children enjoy coming in from the cold and wet after school to a warm home full of yummy smells...The word spreads fast and their friends follow!!

These look fabulous! I am off to get some gluten free brown rice for sure.I don't have an issue to why I like gluten free products except I just like the taste, texture and how I feel when I eat it.I guess that is enough Huh!Enjoy & Take Care of You too, it's easy to get lost~Cheers Kim

You are amazing! I don't think I cooked or answered email or anything for THREE MONTHS after my twins were born. And look at you baking, taking pictures, and then posting about it! (I do, however, remember standing at the fridge and eating an entire quart of Maple flavored Brown Cow yogurt after a 2am feeding.)

My cousin's little girl has celiacs disease. I am certainly going to try this gluten free recipe. Thanks for sharing. I hope your precious babies are doing well. I can't believe that you had the energy to bake that late at night. You are adjusting to motherhood well! Carla

I too LOVE bakeries. In fact I think it would be so wonderful to own one. Unfortunately the hours wouldn't agree with me, so I am content to do my baking at home and share it with friends and coworkers. I'm curious, how do these muffins taste compared to ones that are not gluten free? Do you find any benefit to eating gluten free occasionally?Claudia

Hi Claudia, With baked goods, I can't tell the difference between gluten free and regular. Yeast breads are different. They're still good but you'd notice the difference between the two in both texture, taste and appearance (don't rise as much). Trina

I love your blog, your photos are so beautiful! My girls love waking up to warm muffins and for years this was my best technique for getting them out of bed to get ready for school. Who wants a cold muffin! I would mix up 5 batches of dry ingreadents at a time and put them into canning jars in my pantry. Just knowing they were there waiting made my morning calmer. Baking at midnight... the best advice, I hardly ever took was to sleep when they sleep!

is it ironic that i'm chowing down on a blueberry scone, homemade yesterday, while i'm reading your post about a bakery?! ;)i love a good bakery too, especially the little local ones {would love to have one of my own someday!}muffins look yummy!love your blog!cheers, kathi

Yummy!! Hope all is well dear Trina. I think of you often and glad you have a few moments to yourself to make muffins and take care of you! I am a carbaholic (and chocoholic) so I appreciate your baking...wish I were closer. :)xo Terri

Hi, just visited for the first time. Those muffins look delicious...must have a go at the recipe. And as for the little ones ah, so sweet! Must say I adore the names...there's an obvious reason!! Will be back to read more.Margaret (and Noreen)

hi! love your blog. i wanted to point u to this one i love too...another sweet gal who cooks gluten free and has a VERY cool blog, testimony and house!http://adashofhumblepie.blogspot.com/she has gluten free recipes on her blog

hi sweet trina...i LOVE bakeries.. i went into one today because my friend was talking about maple bars... in fact i am doing a post about them...took one bite and tossed it... that never happens... but it was totally bad... tasted greasy... so sad. but 99% of the time... i am addicted... xoxo

Mmmm, these look good, I recently posted a recipe for maple walnut muffins, I think you'd enjoy that recipe as well. Check it out when you have a free moment! Here's the link to make it easier for you. http://oceanbreezesandcountrysneezes.blogspot.com/2011/01/sarabeths-maple-muffins.html